Susan Forsey was born on 30th November 1815 at Winsham in Somerset, daughter of Sarah Forsey, formerly Hawkins, and her husband Francis Forsey, a labourer. Susan was the youngest of the couple's five children. In 1821, when Susan was only five years old, her mother died. Two years later Susan's father married again, and Susan had a younger half-brother who was born in 1824. Susan's father Francis has yet to be traced after 1824.

Susan was married aged 25 at Crewkerne to Joseph Tett, from the hamlet of Hewish in the parish of Crewkerne. Susan and Joseph settled in Hewish, appearing there in each census from 1841 to 1881. Joseph worked as an agricultural labourer, whilst Susan was a glove sewer and laundress. Between 1842 and 1857 they appear to have had six children together. In both the 1871 and 1881 censuses they had some of their grandchildren living with them.

Susan died in 1890, just short of what would have been her 75th birthday, being buried at Crewkerne on 18th November 1890. Joseph survived her by just over four years.